Chapter 1292: Heavenly Dao Sword Technique

While a sword is merely a weapon, over millions of years, countless cultivators have immersed themselves in its study. This dedication has led to the proliferation of countless sword types, sword intents, and cultivation methods, each distinct from the others.

This is precisely why proper inheritance and lineage are crucial.

With an overwhelming number of sword intents and techniques, along with diverging cultivation philosophies, prolonged exposure and excessive learning here can easily lead to a practitioner suffering qi deviation, or even being killed by others.

This is also the reason why the Master Teacher Pavilion meticulously categorizes cultivation techniques into distinct levels.

Each Master Teacher possesses unique insights into cultivation methods. While a few differing perspectives are manageable, a multitude of them can generate countless, sometimes contradictory, approaches to cultivation. Without proper categorization, haphazard practice wouldn't just hinder human progress; it could potentially lead to widespread instances of qi deviation.

Consequently, Master Teachers must be discerning when studying texts. Without the ability to differentiate truth from falsehood, reading extensively can lead to confusion and mental disarray, disrupting their spiritual equilibrium.

Here, the abundance of diverse sword intents and techniques tempts cultivators who cannot discern their authenticity to try them all. Over time, this creates increasingly severe hidden dangers. Instead of gaining strength, practitioners risk failure, or even death, from absorbing too much conflicting information.

"Show me!" Zhang Xuan said, having understood the explanation.

"Very well!" The Evening Cloud Sword vibrated twice and then led the way.

The distance of over a hundred kilometers was negligible; it didn't take long for them to arrive.

Before them stood a colossal rock wall, upon which was carved a single, magnificent character: '剑' (Sword). The strokes, resembling a soaring dragon and dancing phoenix, radiated a formidable sword qi that seemed to cleave the air, threatening to rip apart anything in its path even from a distance.

"What powerful sword intent!" Zhang Xuan exclaimed, his expression grave as he halted.

He couldn't tell the level of calligraphy this character represented, yet from afar, it felt as though a longsword was thrusting through the air, aimed directly at his brow, inescapable no matter how he dodged. It was as if his very soul had been ensnared, leaving no avenue for escape.

"Was this left by the Sword Elder?" He asked, deeply shaken.

"Yes," replied the Evening Cloud Sword.

"What a true Grandmaster of the Sword Dao!" Zhang Xuan marveled.

Having cultivated for nearly a year, he had extensively studied various texts on the Sword Dao and achieved an exceptionally high level of mastery.

He had always believed his comprehension of the Sword Dao, if not at its zenith, was certainly on par with the best. However, gazing upon this single character, he realized the substantial gap between himself and the venerable Sword Elder.

The Sword Elder had apparently integrated the very essence of 'sword' into his being, even refining himself into a longsword. Only then could a casually written character radiate such overwhelming presence, making it impossible to evade its power.

"Those are the cultivators who have come here to seek enlightenment..."

The sword tip pointed forward. Following its direction, Zhang Xuan saw hundreds of cultivators seated below the rock wall, each gazing intently at the carved character. They gestured continuously with their hands, completely absorbed and seemingly lost in a trance.

"What you're saying is wrong; my move is the correct one, watch!" A voice cut through the air. A middle-aged man flicked his longsword, tracing a rainbow arc that extended hundreds of meters before softly dissipating, the very air around it torn asunder.

"Is this the Upper Sword Heart realm within Sword Heart?" Zhang Xuan's expression turned solemn.

Swordsmanship is broadly categorized into two realms: Sword Intent and Sword Heart.

Ordinary Mortal Transcendent realm experts can grasp Sword Intent, while those with superior talent can comprehend Sword Heart, leading to phenomena like 'ten thousand swords echoing in unison, and dragon roars piercing the heavens!'

Sword Heart signifies using one's heart as the sword, guiding it with pure intent. Every movement, every step, manifests as a sword technique, embodying the true unity of man and sword. Achieving this realm implies that the sword itself possesses a spirit and a consciousness.

It is further divided into three sub-realms: Lower Sword Heart, Middle Sword Heart, and Upper Sword Heart.

Among Saint realm experts, those who grasp the Middle Sword Heart are considered masters of masters. Yet, the individual before him had instantly demonstrated a comprehension reaching the Upper Sword Heart. Their understanding of the sword was, surprisingly, in no way inferior to Zhang Xuan's own!

To date, Zhang Xuan himself had only reached the Upper Sword Heart realm.

"No, that's incorrect. This 'Night Battle Eight Directions' technique focuses on expansive sword qi permeating all directions. Your concentrated sword qi is clearly wrong; observe mine..."

As Zhang Xuan stood in awe, an elder beside the middle-aged man shook his head. He too drew his longsword and performed a brilliant flourish.

In a flash, a deluge of sword energy filled the air, and a chilling, formidable aura enveloped the surroundings, spanning dozens of meters. It felt as if anyone, no matter how formidable, would be ensnared and unable to escape once they entered its domain.

"Another one at Upper Sword Heart?" Zhang Xuan was astonished once more.

For one person to have comprehended the Upper Sword Heart was already formidable, but to find another, who even surpassed the previous individual in their understanding of the Sword Dao, was truly unexpected.

"Both of you are mistaken; I believe it's like this..." A third person interjected, demonstrating their own sword technique, with sword qi spreading like a pervasive mist.

This individual had also attained the Upper Sword Heart realm.

Zhang Xuan was dumbfounded. He glanced at the other cultivators, each faintly radiating sword qi, as if they had transformed into formidable longswords themselves, their power astonishing.

"These hundreds of individuals... have all reached the Upper Sword Heart realm?" Zhang Xuan swallowed hard, utterly astounded.

He had yet to encounter anyone whose swordsmanship surpassed his own on his journey. Yet, in the blink of an eye, he had seen so many here. This truly lived up to its name, the Sword Pool; it was indeed formidable!

"They are all Master Teachers, Battle Masters, and rogue cultivators from various empires, and even alliances, who specialize in swordsmanship! The longest-staying among them have been here for over nine hundred years. Given over nine centuries of accumulation, this number isn't considered excessive..."

"Nine hundred years?" Zhang Xuan nodded.

While he was a genius and had cultivated for a considerable period—almost a year—the actual time he had dedicated to swordsmanship was likely less than a single day!

Given the countless experts across the Eight Conferred Empires, it was understandable that, over nine centuries, so many individuals comparable to him had emerged.

After all, he wasn't truly a peerless genius. He was significantly outmatched by his clone, for instance.

"These people have never left?"

"That single character is enough for them to cultivate for a lifetime. These individuals are so utterly obsessed that they haven't departed since their arrival..."

"Alas!" Zhang Xuan sighed.

He recalled a book from his past life, which described an island containing an unparalleled secret manual. Each Laba Festival, people would venture there, never to return. The scene before him bore a striking resemblance.

Though unrestrained, they became utterly engrossed in their pursuit of deeper martial arts, oblivious to the passage of their prime and the fading of their youth.

"I believe mine is correct!""No, I'm the one who's right...""You are all utterly mistaken! If you don't agree, let's settle this with a match!"

Clang! After a prolonged argument where none could convince the others, the three ultimately drew their swords and began to fight intensely.

"In truth... they have already fallen into qi deviation!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Regardless of the profundity of the 'Sword' character or the brilliance of the Sword Elder who inscribed it, these individuals had become irretrievably lost in their obsession. Engaging in direct combat, they had clearly lost their minds and their sense of self, a definitive sign of qi deviation.

As Zhang Xuan sighed, the three masters had already determined a victor. Two lay heavily wounded, while the sole winner's eyes held a hint of bewilderment, as if questioning whether his own comprehension was flawed, wondering why the others' techniques had been so powerful.

Zhang Xuan knew that after years of immersion in swordsmanship, they had lost their judgment. In such a state, persuasion would be futile, so he chose to ignore them and instead looked up at the large character on the rock wall.

Though carved with sword qi, the character contained the sculptor's profound intent. Its powerful strokes exuded a terrifying aura, each appearing to be a distinct form of swordsmanship, seamlessly merged into a grand and majestic whole, making it seem more unfathomable with every glance.

"No wonder these individuals become so engrossed..."

Even after a brief observation, Zhang Xuan felt his spirit stirred and an irresistible urge to cultivate.

He slowly closed his eyes.

It wasn't due to unwavering mental fortitude enabling him to resist temptations that others couldn't. Rather, the swordsmanship he perceived from the character was riddled with so many flaws that he simply couldn't bring himself to learn it.

"What are those?" Zhang Xuan exhaled, clearing his mind of distracting thoughts, and reopened his eyes. He then noticed that the surrounding rock walls were also covered in countless, densely packed inscriptions.

"These are the sword intents and techniques comprehended by cultivators throughout generations. If one's understanding of the 'Sword' character on the rock wall is not deep enough, these can serve as valuable references!"

"Oh!" Zhang Xuan looked closer.

True enough, the wall was covered with the individual insights of numerous cultivators, arranged in connected sections, numbering over a thousand.

"It's quite similar to the Conferred Saint Platform!" He nodded to himself.

At the Conferred Saint Platform, he had also witnessed numerous interpretations, with each person believing they had grasped the true meaning and were favored by heaven. In reality... their understandings... were riddled with flaws and utterly laughable!

He estimated this situation was likely no different.

"Defects!" As he scanned the stone wall, countless books materialized in his mind.

These insights functioned as secret manuals, which he could record merely by scanning them with his eyes.

"Correct!" Books appeared in his sea of consciousness, and he whispered again. Over a thousand sword technique manuals instantly condensed into a single volume, floating clearly in his mind.

With a light touch of his finger, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

"It's actually a Heavenly Dao Sword Art!"

He had only intended to glance casually, with no real intention of learning anything. To his surprise, by consolidating the insights accumulated by generations of cultivators here, a complete Heavenly Dao cultivation technique had formed!

The sword art flowed through his mind, and he swiftly analyzed it.

Indeed, the Sword Dao left by the Sword Elder was profoundly intricate. If he were to cultivate according to it, his comprehension of swordsmanship would likely advance significantly.

Just as he was about to close his eyes and cultivate to further enhance his strength, he suddenly felt the surrounding spiritual energy surge forward, converging like a hurricane.

He quickly glanced over and saw that the cultivators immersed in practice before the rock wall had all simultaneously lifted their heads.

"Master..." Just as he was about to investigate, he saw the Evening Cloud Sword before him trembling uncontrollably, as if it could no longer maintain its composure.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xuan asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Master, someone has achieved enlightenment in the Sword Dao... As a sword spirit, I am compelled to submit automatically!"

"Comprehended the Sword Dao?" Zhang Xuan was startled. He then saw a young man seated cross-legged before the crowd, sword qi surging around his head, like an unparalleled keen blade unsheathed, ready to cleave heaven and earth in two.

"Is that Ma Minghai?" Recognizing the figure, Zhang Xuan's brows furrowed.

It was none other than Ma Minghai, the talented individual from the Qianchong Empire who had previously battled him at the Master Teacher Pavilion!

"Why is he here?" Zhang Xuan frowned.